io6 GOLDEN-PLOVER 



their mode of flight, and for this reason can 

 be identified when still a long way off. But 

 for perfect conformity of action in the execu- 

 tion of aerial evolutions, plover bear the palm. 

 Golden-plover, when seen at a distance over 

 their feeding grounds, appear as a misty cloud 

 against the sky, sometimes darker, sometimes 

 Hghter ; the change of shade is effected in- 

 stantly. As the mass wheels and turns about, 

 the Hght underside of the wings is flashed up 

 and so contrasts with the darker plumage. 

 This effect, which would not be noticeable 

 unless the compact body turned as one bird, 

 may be traced after the " stand " is practically 

 out of sight. Now watch the plover at a closer 

 range and note how each bird keeps its place 

 whilst the massed body is twisting and turning 

 into all kinds of shapes. Now they are seen 

 to rise in the air to a great height ; fly on a 

 level plane ; plunge suddenly earthward ; 

 skim along over the surface of the ground, 

 rise again and finally go off in the V 

 formation. 



Although these manoeuvres are executed at 

 incredible speed, there are no collisions, no 

 bungling as must surely occur if each out of, 

 say, 200 birds was acting on his own and 

 endeavouring to fly even conformably with a 

 leader. It is an amazing sight, calculated to 



